"The Miracle of the Roses"

c. 1900

An oil on canvas painting entitled “The Miracle of the Roses” (American, c. 1900) by Ernest Lee Major (American, 1864-1950). The painting depicts one of the miracles preformed by St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231). When her husband’s country was stricken by famine, the noble Elizabeth, upon hearing the cries of the hungry, filled her garments with bread to disperse to the poor. This was against the wishes of her family, so Elizabeth sought to deliver the bread in secret, stealing forth from the castle at night. On her way to deliver the bread she was intercepted by her husband Ludwig. Discovering her disobedience he flung aside the folds of her garment, where the bread had transformed into roses dripping red like sacramental wine. Upon witnessing the miracle Ludwig knelt before Elizabeth and prayed to God for forgiveness and the famine left the country. In the painting Elizabeth stands tall at center, she is bathed in golden light and dressed in a Medieval headdress and gown, her cloak is gathered at her waist and spills forth with roses. Flanking the left of the canvas is a mother holding a child, symbolizing charity, and flanking the right is a crouched male figure clutching a loaf of bread. The group of figures are set against a gothic arcade, behind Elizabeth is a suspended metallic heraldic banner. The canvas is signed “E. L. Major” on the bottom right corner. It is housed in a giltwood frame.

American

oil on canvas

49" x 40.5"

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Alfred T. Morris, Jr., 2007.

PSNC.11614